One of Spain's most popular spots, and deservedly so, Alicante nestles next to the Costa Blanca (White Coast) where some of Spain's most stunning beaches can be found. A great place for those looking for golden white beaches and a bustling night life, Alicante is the perfect place to party all night long, then kick back and recover on the beach through the day.
Not to be missed, the Castillo de Santa Barbara has everything you expect from a castle, including a drawbridge, hidden passages and a dungeon. Situated on the summit of Mount Benacantil, this fairy tale castle overlooks Alicante and acts as a stunning backdrop to the surrounding area. Within the castle you can also visit a beautiful sculpture garden which showcases some of Spain's master sculptors. [Map]
A short drive from the city centre, La Playa de San Juan is Alicante's most famous beach. 7km of golden sand stretching along the Mediterranean coast, this is one of the best reasons to visit Alicante.
There are many restaurants and cafes here for lunch and dinner. In high season this is a lovely place to go in the evening, it is heaving with people out strolling and families having dinner. Look out for Churros, which are hot doughnut sticks that you dip into hot chocolate. There is actually a chocolate restaurant called Valor at one end of the promenade which is fantastic. It opens from 8am until 2pm and then opens again at 5pm until about midnight. Other places also sell Churros though, give them a go, they are fab!
Museo de la Asegurada
Impressive former prison and munitions store, today this imposing 17th century building houses an amazing collection of 20th century art including works by Spanish greats Picasso, Dali and Miro.
A great day trip from Alicante, Isla de Tabarca is just 17km off the coast of Alicante you can reach it by one of the many glass bottom boats which leave from Alicante Port and Santa Pola (preferred). Visitors can snorkel or take a glass-bottomed boat in the national marine park's crystal clear waters, or just sunbathe on the charming little beach. Once a hideaway for pirates, the spot is now home to fish restaurants, fortifications, San Jose Castle and a small, local population.
In the centre of the city, El Barrio is the throbbing heart of Alicante's night-life. Here, you will have the opportunity to party until the morning in a vibrant Latin atmosphere.
Is a plantation of palm trees in the Spanish province of Alicante. It is the largest palm grove in Europe and one of the largest in the world, surpassed in size only by some in Arab countries. The Palmeral includes the Parque Municipal and many other orchards, covering over 3.5 square km, including 1.5 km² within the city of Elche (Elx). It contains more than 11,000 palm trees, mostly date palms, with individual specimens up to 300 years old. The dates are harvested in December.
On the southern outskirts of the city, next to the sea, there is a palm tree plantation which has been used as a natural film location. Today it is one of the most delightful green zones of Alicante, called the El Palmeral park. It has waterfalls, ponds, flowerbeds showing a range of local flower and plant varieties, a children's playground, a cross-country biking circuit, an auditorium, promenades, a café, etc
Beautiful natural waterfalls. An absolute must to visit. The land surrounding the waterfalls is is a mass of almonds, vines, kiwis and mangos which flourish on the surrounding terraces. The Fonts are known as the "Font de Fonts" (Spring of all Springs). This area produces more than half total Spanish crop of medlars (nisperos). You park your car among the fruit trees and take a short walk up into the hills. The sound of falling water soon fills the air. Paths fringed by bamboo and oleander eventually lead you to the falls. The Fonts themselves comprise numerous small springs which converge to form a magnificent waterfall and small lagoons of the "Fonts d'Algar". There are paths to explore, as well as the natural pools fed by the D'Algar waterfall. The spring waters are cool and refreshing and around 18°C - swimming is allowed if you want to cool off - or you can just doze in the shade of the trees. The Fonts D'Algar has its own restaurant, plus barbecue and picnic facilities. [Map]
In Orito is beautiful. Located on a small mountain, with fantastic views over the area up to the small Spanish village Monforte del Cid. The Sanctuary is a small cave where San Pascual was looking for protection from the sun whilst walking his sheep and cows. Round the top of the mountain you can walk and enjoy from every place really unique views over the valleys. There is a small children’s playground and a picnic area with viewing points. [Map]
Mundo de los niños
Children's world is situated in front of the Port in Alicante. It is open in high season and is just for the children. There is plenty to do there and is open until the early hours to suit the Spanish children's lifestyle!
Santa Pola
If the crowds of Alicante become too much for you, why not make a short drive down to the small fishing village of Santa Pola 18km south of Alicante. Still a popular spot for tourists, you can be guaranteed that the beaches will be that little bit quieter. The spectacular white sands of Gran Playa and Playa Lissa are particularly worth visiting. Beyond the beach, Santa Pola also has some beautiful churches worth visiting.
Festival de Sant Joan (San Juan)
Alicante's biggest festival running for a week in late June every year. Alicante is engulfed with street processions of floats bearing satirical figures made of wood and papier mache. The festival climaxes with a massive firework display and the burning of all the floats.
Alicante International Music Festival and Alicante e Esena
September see's Alicante's biggest arts festivals, first up is the music festival attracting some of the world's biggest names in all genres of music, later in the month the annual theatre festival commences.
Is a modern water park, with excellent facilities, including picnic areas and a variety of restaurants. There are lawns and shaded areas for when you need a break from the sun and the many slides and chutes are surrounded by foliage. Attractions include Niagara, with its beach, caves and calm waters, and the enormous Atlantic Surf pool, which comes complete with waves and is surrounded by the soft circular current of the Amazons. The Laguna has springboards, rings and nets and Adventure-land is designed especially for young children. For more adventurous visitors there are plenty of exciting rides, including Black Hole, Rapids, Kamikaze, Zig Zag, Pistas Blandas, Big Bang (the highest chute in Europe) and the newest ride, Splash - a multi-track water jump slide. Web: www.aqualandia.net [Map]
Is a park filled with beautiful marine and exotic animals. Wild swans, pelicans and flamingos can be seen in the lagoon, while turtles can be observed in a carefully constructed replica of their natural habitat. The seal pool is always a favourite, as are the comical penguins. The aviary is filled with a variety of exotic birds and the parrots give a show three times a day. Other performers include the sea lions and the stars of the show, the dolphins. You can also watch the dolphins swimming from the underwater galleon and observe the many Nile bats hanging out in their cave. A restaurant, cafeteria and children's playground take care of refreshments and little ones. Web: www.mundomar.es [Map]
Takes visitors on a journey through three continents - America, Asia and Europe - with an introductory zone inspired by the orgins of the Earth, Pangea, as well as a refreshing waterpark in "Europe". The theme park explores remote and exotic corners of the planet, travelling through typical landscapes of the three featured continents, visiting the inhabitants and discovering their habits, folklore, culture, gastronomy, handcrafts and customs. Web: www.terranatura.com [Map]
Terra Mítica (Land of Myths) offers the chance to explore ancient Mediterranean civilisations through themed rides, shows, restaurants and shops. Slide down the waterfalls of the Nile in ancient Egypt or witness the fury of the Triton and the wrath of the Minotaur in Greece. Ancient Rome's top attraction is the Magnus Colossus, the largest wooden roller-coaster on the Mediterranean. Iberia welcomes visitors with fiestas and bustling streets, but Red Beard and his horde of pirates in Barbarroja are not so friendly. In the heart of Terra Mítica, help rescue Ulysses by fighting alongside his son Telemachus. Endless opportunities for family fun! Web: www.terramiticapark.com [Map]
Is a great fair ground for children and very well priced, pay for a family ticket or if you don't feel like joining in you are free to walk around with the rest of your group at no extra cost! (Don't hear that often) You can go on as many of the rides as you like, and as often as you like. They have the Chinese wok buffet onsite along with a few other burger bars. In the summer Polar Park is open from 7:30pm until 2am!! Double check in case they change their hours but this has been the same for a few years.
Mini-golf, quad bikes, karts, sky train, bumper cars, orbiters, fun house, inflatables, motorised rubber-rings, and much, much more. There are also a variety of restaurants. Web: www.polapark.com/ingles [Map]